Which Style Manual Should You Use?
It's a matter of discipline
Every discipline and profession has a preferred style manual. Following are common style manuals that are also used in college classes:
- MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. Known as "MLA Style" and often used in English and other humanities classes
- Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Known as "APA Style" and used in social sciences classes.
- Chicago Manual of Style. Often used with Humanities (English, Art, History)
- The ACS Style Guide: A Manual for Authors and Editors. From the American Chemical Society (ACS), this guide is often used with Chemistry classes.
- Scientific Style and Format: The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors and Publishers. From the Council of Science Editors (CSE) this style is often used with biology and science classes.
There are several student writing handbooks that include condensed versions of some or all of the styles listed above. You may be familiar with one or more of these:
- Bedford Handbook
- Little, Brown Compact Handbook
- The Curious Researcher: A Guide to Writing Research Papers
Your instructor will let you know which style manual you should use. Next >>